Judge denies motion for WWE to keep bootleggers away from Mania

The Hollywood Reporter has a story online how the company has lost a fight in court to keep unauthorized merchandise from being sold in New Orleans this weekend.

The suit was file by WWE on March 26 against anonymous defendants who would be selling unofficial merchandise and the company filed for a motion to seal the details.

However on Tuesday, U.S. District Judge Helen Berrigan basically told WWE to get lost as their request to control the five mile radius of the Superdome was denied.

“The problem with Plaintiff’s request is apparent once one recalls that the order it requests is not directed against a single named, identified, or even described person—all the defendants are John Does, and Plaintiff provides no particular information about the identity of any of them,” she wrote. “At best, Plaintiff defines Defendants almost tautologically: Defendants are anyone who would be a proper defendant within broad geographic and temporal limits.”

WWE yesterday filed a motion for reconsideration although it’s unlikely that the Judge will reverse the decision.

In response to the Judge’s decision, WWE issued the following statement to The Hollywood Reporter:

“It is customary practice for all touring shows to ask for a temporary restraining order to prevent their fans from being sold counterfeit, inferior goods. Merchandise sales are important to the promoter, as well as to the arena or the stadium in which they play. Sales of legitimate merchandise generate revenue for the promoter, the arena and to the local municipality. This is the first time that WWE has experienced a negative decision for a temporary restraining order by a federal judge. Caveat emptor!